[Ready-made crowns in the deciduous dentition].

: The following review of the literature on "prefabricated crowns for deciduous teeth" attempts to highlight the benefits and limitations of this treatment modality. The use of prefabricated crowns is indicated in the following situations: severe destruction of the clinical crown, deep approximal cavities, bilateral approximal cavities, circumferential caries, history of root canal treatment, and need for fixed space retention. Compared to amalgam restorations involving two or more surfaces, prefabricated crowns on deciduous molar teeth gave very high survival rates. They consist of a chromium-nickel-steel alloy and are reported to have an acceptable gingival tolerance profile. In contrast to the Anglo-American countries this treatment modality is quite uncommon in Germany. A probable reason for this reservation could be that many clinicians often fail to see the need for a filling in the deciduous dentition. Besides, many dentists are reluctant to use local anesthesia in children, which is inevitable in preparing and fitting a prefabricated crown. In the United States and UK dentists are less frequently confronted with this problem, as complex treatments are often carried out under nitrous oxide sedation or insufflation anesthesia. Modern filling materials have been introduced which have the potential to narrow the indications for prefabricated stainless steel crowns. Against this background, future studies are necessary to compare the survival rates of prefabricated crowns and modern filling materials.